SCCPSS Puts Safety First

The shootings at Columbine High made schools across the country take a second look at their emergency preparedness.

Those with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System tell NEWS 3 nothing's more important than the safety of their students.

Sometimes it's the simple things that make a difference. We know the school system has its own campus police: certified police officers in every school, providing that extra level of protection, just in case. But from cameras, to fences, to the students themselves, they all play a part in safety.

"We are one of the only school systems in the state of Georgia whose emergency plans have been recognized by GEMA," says school system spokesman Bucky Burnsed. He adds that students and teachers have been doing emergency exercises for the past year. Trying to stay prepared for anything, even what happened at Columbine High School.

"We have worked very, very hard to improve security and safety in our schools."

A grant helped them buy flip charts. "You need a flip chart that you can look at real quick and go, 'Fire! What do I do in case of fire?'"

The flip charts tell teachers exactly what to do in case of an emergency. "If a teacher has the ability to push this under the door, swat team knows real quick I need help in here," says Burnsed.

Cameras in middle and high schools allow campus police to keep track of what's going on. And they're not the only ones watching. Police agencies throughout the county can view the cameras in real time.

"Fencing that's going in around our schools so that there's a single point of access to get into a school. In other words, you have to go in through the front door," says Burnsed.

Then there are the random searches which Burnsed says are paying off. "The children never know when there might be a search, which sends a very strong message. Because of that, we're seeing far, far fewer incidents of weapons and drugs in our schools."

Burnsed says the most important thing is that their students, faculty and staff work together. "More often than not, we'll find out about information going on in our schools from our students who trust us."

Burnsed says their efforts have done a good job keeping students safe. The father of a Virginia Tech student wounded in that school's shooting says police tactics that emerged after Columbine probably saved his son's life.